Cablegate: Country Clearance for Codel Hastert

VZCZCXRO0011
OO RUEHGH RUEHKSO
DE RUEHKO #3554/01 2150421
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 030421Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6109
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8191
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 5986
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 3161
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0195

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003554

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN JA
SUBJECT: Country Clearance for CODEL Hastert

1. (U) Embassy Tokyo welcomes and grants country clearance to
Congressman J. Dennis Hastert and his delegation traveling to
Japan from August 4-7, 2007. The delegation is as follows:

Rep. J. Dennis Hastert
Rep. John Shadegg
Mr. David Cavicke
Mr. William Koetzle
Maj. David Kincaid

Post understand that SSG Jenkins, listen in reftel, will not be
joining the delegation.

2. (U) Embassy control officer for this visit is Economic
Officer Chris Wurzel. He can be reached at any time through the
embassy switchboard or by any of the following:

Switchboard: (81)-3-3224-5000
Office phone: (81)-3-3224-5027
Home phone: (81)-3-3224-6967
Cell phone: (81)-090-2644-4760
Fax: (81)-3-3224-5019
Unclassified e-mail: WurzelCF@state.gov

SIPDIS

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Hotel Reservations
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3. Accommodations have been reserved at the Imperial Hotel.
Contact information for the hotel:

Imperial Hotel Tokyo
1-1, Uchisaiwai-cho 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 100-8558
TEL: 81-3-3504-1111
FAX: 81-3-3581-9146

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Transportation
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4. (U) A/DCM Dave Davison, Management Officer Peter Hayden, and
Control Officer Wurzel will meet the delegation at airport on
their arrival.

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Visa
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5. (U) Holders of U.S. diplomatic or official passports must
have a Japanese visa to enter Japan if they are on official
business. Travelers on a U.S. tourist (blue cover) passport may
enter Japan as a tourist without a Japanese visa for up to 90
days.

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Electronic Equipment
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6. (U) The Embassy's laptop policy states absolutely no personal,
non-government owned laptop computer may enter the
Embassy. Absolutely no laptop, even government owned, may be
connected to the Embassy network in any way. TDY employees are
reminded that no government owned laptops may enter the Embassy
without prior RSO approval. Absolutely no laptop, even
government owned, inside CAA areas unless special pre-approval,
based on business need, has been given. If you would like to
bring a U.S. government owned and provided laptop computer into
the Embassy, please contact the RSO office prior to your visit
for a briefing and approval.

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Threat Assessment
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7. (U) Please note that travelers to Japan should have a copy of
their orders and official ID card with them at the time of
entry. Also be advised that under no circumstances may weapons
be brought into Japan. Carrying a pocket knife (including a
Swiss army-style knife, craft or hunting knife, box cutter, etc.)
in public is forbidden. Under Japanese law, carrying any such
item in public, with a size exceeding 8 cm in length, 1.5 cm in
width, and 2 mm in thickness can subject the person to arrest or
detention.

8. (U) U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a
heightened state of alert. As the U.S. Government has reported
in public announcements over the last several months, U.S.
citizens and interests abroad may be at increased risk of
terrorist actions from extremist groups, which may target

TOKYO 00003554 002 OF 002

civilians and include suicide operations. Americans should
increase their security awareness and avoid locations where
Americans are generally known to congregate. The Department will
continue to develop information about potential threats to
Americans overseas and to share credible threat information
through its consular information program documents available on
the internet at the Bureau of Consular Affairs homepage:
http://www.travel.state.gov.

9. (U) Threat Assessment: The events of September 11, 2001
serve as a reminder of the continuing threat from terrorists and
extremist groups to Americans and American interests
worldwide. This situation remains fluid and American citizens
should be aware of the potential risks and take these into
consideration when making travel plans. The Department maintains
information about potential threats to Americans overseas, which
is available to travelers on the Internet at the Bureau of
Consular Affairs' homepage: http://www.travel.state.gov/. The
Embassy takes all threats seriously. Embassy Tokyo can be
contacted 24 hours a day at 03-3224-5000 (locally) or 81-3-3224-
5000 (internationally).

10. (U) The general threat from crime in Tokyo and throughout
Japan is low; well below the U.S. national average. Violent
crime is rare, but does exist. The Japanese National Police
report continued problems with thefts and pick pocketing of
foreigners in crowded shopping areas of Tokyo. Common sense
security measures are advised for all American citizens traveling
in Japan.

11. (U) Visitors are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance
and to increase their security awareness. Americans should
maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required
travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with
suspicion. Visitors are also urged to avoid contact with any
suspicious, unfamiliar objects, and to report the presence of
such objects to local authorities. Vehicles should not be left
unattended and should be kept locked at all times.

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Currency
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12. (U) Japanese Yen. Credit cards are widely accepted at most
shops, restaurants and hotels. However, some credit card
companies may charge an international transaction fee. Using
Stateside credit cards for cash advances is limited and there are
only a small number of ATMs that accept Stateside cards. Twenty-
four hour currency exchange facilities are available in the
customs area and arrival lobby of the airport.
SCHIEFFER

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